Matthew Gardner
Partner
Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by The Law Society of Ontario
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1 Toronto Street, Suite 900
Toronto, ON, Canada, M5C 2V6
Bio
Clients count on Matthew Gardner to create and execute strategic plans to help them achieve their objectives.
Matthew is a boots-on-the-ground advocate, helping clients comply with the law. He handles environmental legal issues and environmental litigation with a focus on defending regulatory prosecutions (by federal, provincial, and municipal regulators), appealing environmental orders and litigating environmental claims.
Matthew is a Certified Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario. Matthew has expertise in excess soil, contaminated land, waste management, environmental insurance, species-at-risk, storage tanks, and on-road vehicle emissions. He helps clients navigate complex environmental regulatory requirements. Matthew provides advice and solutions to clients about environmental due diligence, environmental management systems, and day-to-day environmental compliance. He also represents intervenors before the Ontario Energy Board in natural gas and electricity matters.
An experienced litigator, Matthew regularly appears before the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the Ontario Court of Justice, the Ontario Land Tribunal and the Ontario Energy Board.
Always focused on a client’s best interests, Matthew will negotiate settlements before or in the early stages of litigation wherever possible. Clients count on his guidance to navigate inspections and investigations by environmental regulatory authorities, appeal environmental orders and defend environmental regulatory prosecutions with the vigour and passion that Matthew brings to his work.
Working well with other lawyers, environmental and planning consultants, and subject-matter experts, Matthew assembles the best team for any situation. He is frank, straightforward and clear in his communications and comes prepared for conversations with clients with an innate sense of what they need to achieve their objectives.
Education
- Certified as a Specialist in Environmental Law by the Law Society of Ontario (2020)
- Called to the bar of Alberta (2016)
- Called to the bar of Ontario (2010)
- LL.B., Bachelor of Laws, University of Calgary (2009)
- B.Sc. (Hons.), Marine and Freshwater Biology, University of Guelph (2005)
Organizations
- Canadian Bar Association (CBA)—member
- Canadian Brownfields Network (CBN)—Technical advisory committee member
- Environmental Services Association of Alberta (ESAA)—member
- Hamilton-Halton Construction Association (HHCA)—Education committee member
- Hamilton Law Association (HLA)—member
- Law Society of Alberta—member
- Law Society of Ontario—member
- Ontario Bar Association (OBA)—member of the real property law section executive team
- Ontario Environmental Industry Association (ONEIA)—member
- Osgoode Hall Law School—Adjunct Professor of Environmental Law
News
Publications
Events
Work Highlights
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Energy Advocacy
Represented a number of Intervenors before the Ontario Energy Board in natural gas and electricity matters, including electricity transmission and distribution projects, natural gas pipeline projects, electricity and natural gas policy reviews, and proceedings for both electricity conservation and demand management and natural gas demand side management programs. -
Environmental Litigation: Settlement of Civil Action About Contaminated Land
Assisted a commercial business to negotiate a complex settlement early in the litigation process relating to contamination of a nearby property. -
Environmental Litigation: Corporate Directors and Officers Ordered to Clean-Up Waste
Representing former directors and officers of a company ordered by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change to clean up waste stored at a property that is no longer owned by the company. -
Environmental Litigation: Release of Ammonia Gas by Food Processing Company
Defended a national food processing company against a charge laid by the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change under Ontario’s Environmental Protection Act following the release of ammonia gas. The release occurred in an industrial/commercial setting, adjacent to a residential area and led to complaints from nearby businesses and residents. -
Environmental Law: Environmental Coverage Opinion for Insurer
Drafted insurance coverage opinion for and represented an insurer in responding to a fuel loss at a service station that migrated into subsurface soils and groundwater. -
Environmental Law: Environmental Due Diligence and Contaminated Site Advice to Property Owner/Developer
Assisted an owner and developer of residential, commercial and light industrial properties with a due diligence review of over 50 properties. Advised about options for properties with soil and/or groundwater contamination. Guided the client through the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change’s Risk Assessment process.